Coach Vicente del Bosque denied Spain were caught in a downward spiral after the holders slumped to a shock 2-1 defeat in Slovakia in Euro 2016 Group C qualifying on Thursday(Oct 9).

Del Bosque decided to stay on after his team were knocked out in the first round of the World Cup in Brazil in June and, although he has brought in a number of new faces, it was a familiar story at the MSK stadium in Zilina.

It was Spain’s first defeat in a qualifier for the European Championship or World Cup since they were beaten by Sweden in October 2006.

“I think that we at least deserved a draw and I don’t think we are on a negative run,” Del Bosque told a news conference.

“We should have scored more goals but then came a lethal counter attack.

“We cannot have any complaints about the players. We showed patience but we were not effective and their keeper was superb.”

“Pedro for his speed, Alcacer to have someone else in the area and Cazorla for his passing ability. The whole team tried. Nobody likes to lose.”

Slovakia, 40th in the world rankings, top the group with a maximum six points from two matches, with Spain, Ukraine and Macedonia all on three in joint second.

Spain’s next match is in Luxembourg on Sunday (Oct 12) when forward Diego Costa, who has been in fine form for Chelsea but has not scored in six appearances for La Roja, will hope to break his international duck.